Rail Freight Trends: China’s Key Updates for October-November 2024
19 november
# Expert Advice Section
Fresh Analytics on Rail Freight from China to Russia and Belarus: October-November 2024
In October and early November, rail freight rates from China showed a downward trend. However, rates began to rise across most Chinese stations in the latter half of November.
Increased inspections at Kazakhstan border crossings for various cargo categories have shifted the preference towards routes via Zabaikalsk and Naushki border points.
According to STA Logistic analysts, the average transit time for shipments from China remains around 25 days. October statistics show a station-to-station transit time of 21–30 days. Thanks to advanced planning of shipments and close collaboration with rolling stock owners, STALOGISTIC achieved minimal transit times for a significant number of shipments in October. The record-breaking transit time of just 11 days was recorded on the route from Xi’an station through the Khorgos-Altynkol border crossing to Selyatino station.
Challenges at Border Crossings
Processing times at land border points have increased due to backlogs and empty platform shortages, particularly at the Manzhouli-Zabaikalsk crossing.
Key Import Categories and Cargo Issues
In October, the most imported items to Russia and Belarus were household appliances, equipment, clothing, and consumer goods. However, shipping goods with built-in batteries remains problematic. Only a few stations, such as Suzhou and Changsha, accept lithium-ion batteries. Stricter inspections are also observed for clothing and accessories at Kazakhstan border crossings.
Station-Specific Guidelines
• Non-hazardous chemicals require only a Railway Transport Safety Report at most stations.
• Shipments with small liquid content are allowed at selected stations.
• Batteries are still accepted only as part of a shipment by a limited number of stations.
• Some stations (e.g., Chengdu and Shenyang) accept cargo pieces exceeding 10-12 tons, provided proper securing measures are in place. If the securing is done by the sender, the Chinese agent assumes no responsibility for verifying its reliability.
• Some stations allow the transportation of glue via direct rail services, provided the sender presents a Technical Description of Goods in Railway document.
Peak Season Projections and Recommendations
The peak shipping season is expected to begin in late November and last until the Chinese New Year, bringing potential space shortages on trains and rate increases of USD 500–1,000.
To navigate these challenges:
1. Opt for stable stations with fixed weekly schedules.
2. Place orders at least two weeks in advance.
3. Prepare for potential rate adjustments for lower-than-average tariff options.
4. Account for border crossing conditions when planning shipments.
STALOGISTIC will continue
